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APPENDIX “K.”
THE HON. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
Hong KoNG.
HONG KONG TRAMWAYS, LIMITED,
HONG KONG, 3rd November, 1933.
Sir,
I have been informed that the China Motor Bus Co., Ltd., are seeking autho- rity from Government to institute the following alterations to their existing motor- bus services and I am further instructed that opportunity is being afforded for consideration by Government of the manner in which the matter concerns this Company.
It is understood the said applications are as follows
(A) To extend the Hong Kong-Aberdeen service (the Hong Kong terminus of which is at present situated at the junction of Eastern Street and Con- naught Road) to Macao Wharf via Connaught Road.
(B) To extend the Taikoo service in a westerly direction-from Blake Pier to Macao Wharf via Connaught Road and in an easterly direction from Taikoo East Gate along the tram track to Shaukiwan.
(C) To divert the Taikoo service from Lockhart Road to Hennessy Road.
Such proposals have been closely studied and I am to state that this Com- pany finds itself in serious and urgent opposition.
The extensions and diversion above specified must, to no small degree, ad- versely affect the long established interests of this Company and would, it is to be strongly emphasized, inevitably react, eventually if not with immediate force, against the best interests of the general public.
These contentions are based as shown in the following paragraphs; and, particularly out of what is said in Nos. 1-6 thereof, and that the public services of the Tramway Company have been with progressive efficiency, reliably and success- fully maintained during 30 years of operation to the public satisfaction, I must earnestly urge that full weight be accorded in consideration of our plea for equitable protection of those interests against unnecessary and unfair inroads.
(1) Under the enactment by which this Company is empowered there are specific obligations (under provisions for official compulsion) always and progressively to afford proper, adequate and efficient facilities in those areas served by the tramway as changing or increasing public require- ments dictate. In that accord, full and proper attention to the satisfac- tory provision, maintenance, extension, frequency and general condition of our services has been continuously and faithfully applied. Within actually the period of the last ten years, expenditure exceeding $800,000.00 has been appropriated to Track and Roadway maintenance alone; whilst, over the same period, additional Capital outlay on Track and Roadway account has amounted to the further sum
of over $700,000.00. The extent of maintenance and conditioning cost, under this particular head only, is now at the rate of over $100,000.00 per
annum.
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K
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